As many as 21,000 patients at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital had their personal information stolen. The data includes birth dates, Social Security numbers and insurance information.

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CENTER CITY, Pa.—As many as 21,000 patients at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital had their personal information stolen. The data includes birth dates, Social Security numbers and insurance information.

The breach occurred when an employee went against company protocol and downloaded the information of 21,000 patients to his personal laptop, reports ABC 6 news. The laptop was stolen from a hospital office in June. In a strange twist, the employee was researching quality care improvements when the incident occurred.

Those affected were patients at the hospital between March 9 to June 1, 2010 and Aug. 1 to Nov. 1, 2008. So far, no one’s identity has been stolen.

Consulting company Kroll Inc., which specialize in identity theft solutions, was hired by the hospital to help deal with the potential impact of the breach.

Officials would not say if the employee has been fired; however, they said appropriate action has been taken.